THE GOLDEN RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

John Wycliffe 1324-1384 - It shall greatly help you to understand scripture, if you mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom, and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows after.

I. You cannot create doctrine from only one verse.

II. You cannot create doctrine without the study of all the verses related to the biblical subject you are studying.

III. New Testament doctrine always supersedes Old Testament doctrine.

IV.  You can have traditions, but you cannot have them supersede biblical          doctrines.

V. Always discern spiritual application from the physical application of scripture.

VI. You cannot create doctrine solely from the Book of Acts.

VII. All 27 books of the New Testament were written to believers.

VIII. Take in account the historical and culture of the time of the writings to          create doctrine.

IX. New revelation taught in the Epistles that have no contradictions from any of the other epistles?

X. You cannot allow your experience to interpret the scriptures. You need to let the scriptures interpret your experience.

XI. Know what is going on before and after your text.

This is a must when you are going to study scripture: (1) Did Jesus practice an act or did He teach it. (2) Was it practiced or taught in the book of Acts. (3) Was it taught in any of the Epistles.